Immuno-castration of female and male pigs with anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine: Morphometric, histopathological and functional studies of the reproductive system

Immuno-castration is increasingly recommended in pigs due to welfare reasons; however, there are few studies in females compared to males. This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of immuno-castration in female and male pigs. The weight, the morphometric and microscopic characteristics of the reproductive organs, and the hormone concentrations were studied in 12 immunocastrated females (IF) and 12 immunocastrated males (IM) and compared with control animals (C). At slaughter, IF tended to have greater body weights than CF (P =  0.051), whereas in IM and CM pigs there were not body weight differences (P =  0.140). The weight of the reproductive tract and size of all individual organs were less in IF compared with CF. Results from histological assessments indicated IF had more atretic follicles and a thinner endometrial mucosa than control females. Hormone concentrations were not different between CF and IF (P >  0.050). As a result of immuno-castration, there was impaired spermatogenesis in most males. Results from microscopic evaluations indicated there was a marked decrease of spermatogonial cells and size of Leydig cells in the testicles. Accessory gland structures were affected in CM and IM with there being differences in gross and microscopic characteristics. Testosterone concentrations, unlike estradiol, were different in IM compared to CM (P <  0.001). These results provide evidence that immuno-castration with the anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine is effective in female and male pigs and induces morphological and endocrine changes incompatible with fertility.

Technical Note: A new device for cervical insemination of sheep - design and field test

Deep semen deposition, avoiding retrograde flow, lesions and stress, has proved to be very important in the success of sheep AI. The objective of the present study was to develop a new, suitable anti-retrograde flow device for sheep cervical AI (DARIO) that enables deep deposition of semen into the cervix without any modifications to the procedures currently used, and to compare the fertility, fecundity, and prolificacy rates between DARIO and a traditional catheter. Field tests were performed on 16 farms actively participating in the non-profit National Association of Rasa Aragonesa Breeders´ genetic selection scheme and where sheep management was similar. A total of 242 AI lots were considered, including 1,299 ewes; 126 lots (662 ewes) were inseminated using DARIO, and 116 lots (637 ewes) using a traditional commercially-available catheter (control group). Several factors affecting AI results were included in the model for mean comparison between DARIO and control groups (farm and ram as random factors; catheter, year and photoperiod as fixed effects; catheter × photoperiod interaction). The type of catheter had a significant effect on fertility ( < 0.01) and fecundity rates ( < 0.01) but no significant effect was detected on the prolificacy rate ( = 0.45). For fertility rate (percentage of ewes lambing after AI), means ± SE for DARIO and control groups were 59.44 ± 2.13% and 49.60 ± 2.48%, respectively; for fecundity rates, means ± SE for DARIO and control groups were 0.99 ± 0.04 and 0.82 ± 0.05 lambs/inseminated ewe, respectively, and, for prolificacy rates, means ± SE for DARIO and control groups were 1.68 ± 0.04 and 1.63 ± 0.04 lambs/ewe lambing, respectively. Fertility rate was greater in the decreasing photoperiod ( = 0.01). Significant effects were found for both year ( < 0.05) and farm ( < 0.01) on fertility, fecundity, and prolificacy rates. Neither ram nor catheter × photoperiod showed any significant effects on the variables investigated ( > 0.05). Overall, the use of DARIO instead of the traditional commercially-available catheter increased both fertility and fecundity rates; the marginal mean differences were 9.05 pregnant ewes per 100 inseminated and 0.15 lambs per inseminated ewe, respectively.

Anatomical and genetic study of an ancient animal tooth showing brachyodont and hypsodont mixed taxonomical characteristics

A non-human dental piece was found in a Roman Empire tomb dated the 3rd century A.C. in Zaragoza (Spain). The morphology of this piece showed mixed brachyodont (carnivores) and hypsodont (herbivores) characteristics. As a result, the taxonomical assignation of the piece was impossible. Therefore, a protocol based on the DNA sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial region (COI) was applied. For this purpose, a pair of primers able to amplify this region in a large variety of animals was designed. The results point to a species of the Genus Bos (Family Bovidae). This assignation was later confirmed by these quencing of a short fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop region. A complete morphological description of the tooth is presented together with the DNA sequence study and comparison protocol.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular typing of Enterococcus faecium isolated from humans, chickens and environment in Canary Islands (Spain)]

Comparative studies on antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and molecular typing of Enterococcus isolates of different origins provides valuable information concerning the epidemiology of enterococcal infections. We analyzed clinical isolates and we surveyed faecal samples of humans (hospitalised patients and healthy volunteers), faecal samples of poultry and environmental samples. A total of 68 E. faecium isolates were obtained: 43 from humans, 5 from poultry and 20 from water. We compared the antibiotic resistance patterns and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of these strains.We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine them for the presence of 8 aminoglycoside resistance genes. Differences among percentages of antimicrobial resistance between clinical and non clinical isolates were found. All enterococci were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Four aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected, most frequently ant(6)-Ia and aph(3')-IIIa. Presence of isolates resistant to gentamicin but negative for all genes tested suggest that additional resistance genes may exist. VRE are still rare inside and outside hospitals in Gran Canaria (Spain). The high frequency of ampicillin resistance among clinical enterococci and the fact that several isolates share the same PFGE type were isolated from different wards of our hospital suggest that ampicillin-resistant E. faecium are endemic in our Hospital.

Microsatellite markers for the analysis of genetic variability and relatedness in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) farms in Spain

The usefulness of several microsatellites in the management of Alectoris rufa restocking farms is evaluated in the present report. We analysed seven microsatellite loci in 147 randomly chosen individuals from four Spanish farms. Global F(IS) values were not significant. Slight genetic differentiation was only found between Farms 1 and 4. The global first and second parent exclusionary powers were 0.742 and 0.930, respectively. Microsatellite analysis can estimate the genetic relatedness between pairs of individuals by means of the Identity index. Since genealogies are unknown in most farms, pairwise Identity index values proved to be helpful in the management of matings, and the improvement of reproductive success and fitness of the descendants. Mean Identity index values showed that individuals within farms were not genetically more related than expected under random mating. Variance of the Identity index values suggest the absence of closed familial groups in these farms.

Scrapie resistance alleles are not associated with lower prolificity in Rasa Aragonesa sheep

Scrapie is a prion disease characterised by the accumulation of the pathological associated form of cellular prion protein (PrP(SC)) in the central nervous system. Susceptibility to scrapie is associated with polymorphism in the ovine prion protein (PrP) gene. The European Union has implemented scrapie control programs, relying on selective breeding for scrapie resistance; the use of ARR-carrier and the exclusion of VRQ-carrier were recommended. In this study, 4323 individuals from Rasa Aragonesa Sheep breed were genotyped for the PrP gene and the individual estimated breeding values (EBV) for prolificity were calculated. Most represented PrP alleles do not work against prolificity. Only a significant association between VRQ/VRQ genotype and a lower EBV was observed (p = 0.027, eta2 = 0.002). Therefore, avoiding reproduction of VRQ/VRQ individuals would not cause negative effect regarding prolificity.

Phylogenetic relationships among Spanish goats breeds

We partially sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in 60 goats belonging to six Spanish breeds. The analysis of these and previously published sequences reveals a weak phylogeographical structure in the Iberian Peninsula breeds. Individuals from a single breed did not group into a single cluster. Furthermore, individuals from different breeds often shared single phylogenetic tree branches after UPGMA analysis. This could reflect the non-existence of breed isolation because of traditional seasonal pastoralism and annual long-distance migrations. Three goats belonging to the C maternal lineage were found, demonstrating a wider than previously thought distribution for this lineage.

Analysis of microsatellites and paternity testing in Rasa Aragonesa sheep

Four microsatellite loci (MAF50, MAF18, OarFCB20 and MCM527) were studied in Rasa Aragonesa sheep in order to evaluate their use in paternity testing. Several population characteristics were estimated [allele frequencies. effective allele number (Ne), polymorphism informative content (PIC) and probability of excluding wrong paternities (Pe)]. In 32 randomly chosen individuals, four alleles were detected for MAF50, with 2.55 effective alleles, 0.58 PIC and 0.35 Pe. For MAF18, five alleles were identified, with 2.99 effective alleles, 0.51 PIC and 0.32 Pe. For oarFCB20, 10 alleles were observed, with 6.06 effective alleles, 0.82 PIC and 0.68 Pe. Finally, for MCM527, six alleles were found, with 3.75 effective alleles, 0.69 PIC and 0.50 Pe. When these loci were used together with serum transferrin locus, Pe rose to 97.20 per cent. Field trials confirmed the real usefulness of these techniques.

Climatic effects on Salmonella survival in plant and soil irrigated with artificially inoculated wastewater: preliminary results

The use of wastewater to replace other water resources for irrigation is highly dependent on whether the health risk and environmental impacts entailed are acceptable or not. Total count and species of microorganisms found in wastewater vary widely because of climatic conditions, season, population sanitary habits and disease incidence. Salmonella, one of the genera associated with waterborne diseases, lives in the intestine. Thus, it is widely accepted that they have a limited survival period under environmental conditions. Wastewater management practices and the ability of Salmonella to survival under field conditions would determine the health risk associated with its presence in wastewater. Although chlorination is widely used, there are situations in which Salmonella is able to survive the sudden stress imposed by this technique. The aim of this experiment was to contribute to the study of the climatic and soil effects on pathogen survival under agricultural field conditions in order to assess which were the best wastewater management practices from both health and economic points of view. Five pots filled with soil seeded with Medicago sativa and an automatic weather station were used. A secondary effluent was artificially inoculated with Salmonella. In addition, open plates (filled with sterilised soil) and ultraviolet radiation isolated plates (filled with non-sterilised soil) were used. As soil heat emission contributes to the environmental conditions around the bacteria, standardised meteorological temperature data had to be carefully used in the bacterial survival studies under agricultural conditions. Radiation was the main cause of Salmonella mortality as its effect was more important than natural soil bacteria competence. Higher reduction of Salmonella counts could have been associated with longer spring days. Soil was able to effectively remove Salmonella. Subsurface drip irrigation methods could provide an effective tool to prevent health risk associated with wastewater irrigation.

[Carriers of beta hemolytic streptococci from groups A, B, and C among schoolchildren in Las Palmas]

BACKGROUND

Betahemolytic streptococci, particularly group A, are the most frequently isolated pathogen in the cases of acute pharyngotonsilitis in school-aged children. A study was carry out in school children of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the aim of knowing of the state of pharyngeral carriers of betahemolytic streptococci in Lancefield groups A, B and C.

METHODS

A total of 1,002 healthy school children (520 boys and 482 girls) with ages ranging from 4 to 15 of aged were included in the study in which a pharyngeal exudate was obtained to detect the presence of betahemolytic streptococci.

RESULTS

69.5% of the healthy school children were not pharyngeal carriers of betahemolytic streptococci. The prevalence of streptococci group A in all the age groups studied was of 6%. The prevalence of beta streptococci groups B and C were of 11 and 13.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are in agreement with the literature reviewed in which the rate of pharyngeal carriers of beta-hemolytic streptococci in school children of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are more similar that studies reported from tropical and subtropical zones showed a high prevalence of groups B and C and a lower prevalence of a group A than others communities of our country and zones with temperature climate where showed a high prevalence of group A and lower prevalence of groups B and C.

Caseous lymphadenitis caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in the dromedary camel

Caseous lymphadenitis that affected the dorsal and ventral superficial lymph nodes in the left cervicothoracic region of a young dromedary camel is described. The agent isolated was Corynebacterium ulcerans. To our knowledge, this is the first description of purulent lymphadenitis caused by C. ulcerans in a species belonging to the Camelidae.

[Sensitivity of groups A, B and C beta hemolytic streptococci to antibiotics]

We studied the susceptibility of 330 strains of beta hemolytic streptococci (60 group A, 125 group B, 145 group C) isolated from healthy school children in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to 17 antibiotics. Only 2% of group A streptococci showed resistance to erythromycin, and 18% to 31% of the beta hemolytic streptococci strains were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. All of these strains showed susceptibility to betalactam antibiotics, chloramphenicol, clindamycin and vancomycin. Most of them were resistant to tetracycline and aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Population genetics and paternity in Rasa Aragonesa sheep using DNA fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting was used to study the population genetics and paternity of the Rasa Aragonesa sheep (Ovis aries). Using a combination of Hae III and the M13 derived probe pV47, the mean number of bands per individual (5.422 +/- 0.309), the background band sharing coefficient (0.347), the mean population frequency of alleles (0.192) and the mean heterozygosity for bands (0.893) were calculated for 45 individuals from eight different farms in Aragon, northern Spain. Therefore, the estimated probability of missing a wrong paternity was 0.126 for unrelated males, and this probability was 0.438 for full-sibs males. In addition, in a field trial of this technique, paternity was assigned for three ewe-lamb pairs with a probability of 97 per cent in two cases and 77 per cent in one case.

Confirmation of assignment of the bovine K-casein locus by PCR

The provision of a bovine gene map will allow the ready identification of genetic disease in cattle and will lead to the identification of the genetic loci responsible for quantitative traits of economic importance. An extension of the polymerase chain reaction to the identification of linkage in bovine-Chinese hamster cell hybrids has improved the speed and facility of the assignment of genes to linkage groups and thus makes it easier to achieve a bovine linkage map.

Assignment of two markers carried by human chromosome 1 to different cattle synteny groups: FH to U1 and PEPC to U17 (chromosome 8)

Two loci located on human chromosome 1 were mapped in cattle by means of interspecific (hamster x cattle) somatic cell hybridization. FH is assigned to the U1 synteny group together with PGD, ENO1, AT3, and REN, while PEPC is found to belong to the U17 group (chromosome 8), like FN1, CRYG, and VIL1.